A cytogenetic study of Wilms' tumor

Cytogenetic studies were attempted on a sample of 33 Wilms' tumors using short- and long-term tissue culture techniques; most were studied after 2-13 wk in vitro. Abnormal karyotypes were found in 11 tumors, 10 of which had been treated previously with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Insufficient growth of 17 tumors prevented cytogenetic analysis, and in 5 only normal karyotypes were found. Of the 11 tumors with abnormalities, 9 had modes within the diploid range, 1 was hypertriploid, and 1 showed hypodiploid variation. Except for chromosome #5, all chromosomes were involved in structural and numeric changes. Three tumors showed variation in the short arm of chromosome #11, and abnormalities of chromosomes #1, #3, #7, #9, #10, and #14 occurred in more than one tumor. A predisposition to Wilms' tumor is associated with a constitutional deletion of 11p13. From the present study, it is apparent that a similar cytogenetic change may play a primary role in the development of Wilms' tumor in normal individuals.